Parker Sr dies proud of son’s knighthood
Knighthood polarises opinion
Sir Bob Parker said he would given up his knighthood to kept his late father.
Robert Parker Sr died on Tuesday, just hours after news broke that his son had received the New Year honour.
It has also emerged that on Monday he became a greatgrandfather for the second time.
Parker Sr was in his 80s and had been ill for some time. He died about noon, surrounded by his wife, Audrey, and other family members at the Nurse Maude Hospice.
Parker said his ‘‘ beautiful’’ father was extremely proud of his achievement.
‘‘ I would swap my knighthood any time if I could keep my father.’’
Positive reaction to his knighthood had given his family ‘‘ a real lift’’ as they gathered to farewell his father, who was told about the honour several days ago in confidence. Parker said the messages of support had helped the family deal with a difficult time.
‘‘ We have gathered here as a family to honour Dad and especially my have have Sir Bob Parker’s successor as Christchurch mayor has praised his leadership but elsewhere, reaction to the knighthood was mixed.
Talkback callers and online readers were divided yesterday over whether Parker should have been honoured, with hundreds expressing their views.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel congratulated Parker and said his honour would be ‘‘ well received by the city as a whole’’.
‘‘ Sir Bob’s performance after the Mum, who has obviously got to face the biggest change of us all in the months ahead.’’
He was in a ‘‘ family bubble’’ and had seen little reaction to his knighthood, but what he had seen was ‘‘ absolutely, overly supportive’’.
Parker had received texts, facebook messages, emails and con- first earthquake in particular, something we were not really prepared for, will always stand out in my mind as going beyond the call of duty.
‘‘ His authoritative voice offering reliable information, delivered in such a reassuring manner at our time of need, is what people will always remember,’’ she said.
‘‘ That’s precisely what people needed at the time and he delivered all of that and more.’’
Like his mayoralty, Parker’s gratulatory phone calls but more focused on ‘‘ spending with Dad in his final hours’’.
‘‘ It’s a very special process, not one that is incredibly sad but one that has been very positive for us as a family.’’
News of a grandchild, born
second just a day was time greatbefore knighthood has polarised many.
Some said he thoroughly deserved the honour for his calm leadership after the Canterbury earthquakes but others said his mixed record as mayor meant he did not deserve it.
Christchurch broadcaster Mike Yardley, who questioned Parker’s gong yesterday, said callers to his national radio show also had contrasting views. Listeners outside Christchurch rated Parker more favourably than locals, Yardley said. Parker Sr’s death, was also a comforting moment, Parker said. ‘‘ One of those miracles. It’s one of those circles of life things.
‘‘ As a family, it’s a very special time but obviously very poignant.
‘‘ Dad had heard about [ the birth] and I think as a family, it is just a very special time.’’